Even as adults my kids often say something so unexpected and hilarious that we laugh until we cry.

Those moments feel wonderful.

Make time for laughter

Let’s face it we can all use a little bit of crazy silly in our life. Sure there is a time to be serious, but we also need to laugh. Laughter does wonders for families and is so good for us.

Perhaps most importantly laughter binds us together. It’s like relationship glue. When friends or family members share something funny there is an instant connection. And children just love it when adults are silly with them.

And when your children feel connected they are more likely to co-operate with you. How’s that for a easy parenting win!

Permission to be silly

As parents, it is so easy to loose sight of our silly side.

So I want you to know that you have permission to be silly and have fun with your kids.

It’s OK to want fun.

So today put aside the learning- and the to do list- and the work – just for a little while. Go do something goofy with your family. If you need some inspiration just follow your kid’s lead. Children are naturally goofy and laughter comes easily to them. Here are my suggestions.

15 Easy Ways To Be Silly With Your Kids

1. Put on a lively song at full blast, then sing and dance along. Maybe you could have a dance party.

2. Cut oranges into wedges. Eat the orange leaving the peel intact. Cut notches along one edge of the peel. Now put it in your mouth with the white side facing out. Then give everyone you see a big toothy smile.

3. Say the whole alphabet while burping (I know, but kids love it). Will you try one letter per burp, or see how many letters you can say with a long belch?

4. Challenge your family to see if they can lick their elbow. I’m told that some people can actually do this! I’m not sure if it is true, but it sure is funny watching others try! I can’t do it by the way!

5. Take pictures of your kids being goofy. My boys loved hamming it up for the camera.

6.Have a pillow fight. Pick up a pillow and hit one of your kids lightly. No one will resist the challenge

7.Provide napkins and make Mr Knapkin Heads. Don’t know how? Watch Jude Law demonstrate the technique in this clip from the fabulous movieThe Holiday. You can also find it here.

8. Make and model outrageous hats.

9. Tell silly jokes.

10. Create a silly walk. And of course I can’t possibly mention silly walks without providing a link to the classic Monty Python Silly Walk Skit.

11. Wriggle your fingers and chase your children around the house. You don’t actually have to tickle them to make them laugh. The anticipation will get those giggles going.

12. When you give your children a good night kiss suck in your cheeks and make smacking noises with your lips. My dad would often do this when he put me to bed and it always made me laugh. It’s one of my fondest memories.

13. Play a silly game like “Cross the Floor.” You need a point A and a point B. Challenge everyone to travel from one point to another without putting their feet on the floor. You can either use other body parts to slither, slide, roll across the floor or find things to walk on. Pieces of paper, cushions, or furniture are all fair game.

14. Speak in a silly voice.

15. Place a large container with water in the garden, fill it with water, and throw in some sponges. Arm yourself with a hose. Call your children outside and the minute they step outside hit them with a spray of water.

What your kids will remember

My boys are now adults. Want to know what they reminisce about the most? The times we were all silly together. Want to make memories that stick? Try being silly with your kids.

Can you plan to create a little bit of silliness every day? It doesn’t matter what you do, just have fun! Enjoy the laughter. Cherish the connections it brings.

I’d love to hear from you. What makes your family laugh? What is the silliest activity you have done? Add your ideas to the list? Please leave a comment below.

I love the quote at the end! It has been true for me with my kids. When I let go and get silly with them, it’s like a level of intimacy that we’re sharing. They know Mommy doesn’t get silly like that with just anyone. It’s something special we share. It’s almost always when we’re laughing together that I KNOW I’m doing parenting right.

Silly walks, silly talks and tickling on the trampoline are our favourites. It really does do wonders a good silly laugh. Just have to remember to slow down and spend the time with the kids, always rewarded 🙂Alicia recently posted…Dirt, sticks and bark

What a wonderful list! It’s so important for parents to embrace the silliness with their children. I have to admit I don’t often do it, I can be a very serious mum, but when I do- I think I shock my kids into hysterics 🙂
Thanks for another great post 🙂Natalie recently posted…My Wish For You This Year

These are cute idea for encouraging silliness!
Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!Jill recently posted…Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop 71

It’s amazing that these posts never gets old. It just helps me with my son before he goes to his tantrum moments. Enrolling these kids to international schools would definitely have disciplined for the better, lol. Thank you for this parenting post, looking for more related ones.

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LOOKING FOR FUN FAMILY ACTIVITIES THAT WILL FIT YOUR SCHEDULE?

Take the FREE 7 day play activity challenge and you will discover

Simple activities that you can do immediately.

How to have fun and make memories in only 15 minutes a day.

The benefits of spending short periods of time with your kids.

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